Madison Beard Mowrer, founder of Rocking MB Leather, used Ostrich Embossed Sides to craft two stunning custom belts. Follow her video and step-by-step instructions below to craft your own pair of Ostrich inspired belts!

Shop All Materials

Products:

Instructions:

Preparation

Step 1: Determine the length of belt you will need.

Step 2: Take your belt, lay it flat and measure from the start of your buckle to the belt hole you use the most and add 9.25" - this will be the length of your belt.

Step 3: Strap out a piece of leather the length you will need.

• Maker Tip! If you're making the belt with billets you'll need significantly less, but you should still strap out the entire piece from the side - to save time in the future or have an entire Ostrich Belt! 

Step 4: Begin making your belt.

Ostrich Belt

Step 1: Using contact cement and an economy veg strip (or a 2-3oz piece you've stripped yourself) put contact cement on both flesh sides and press together for it to set. (Be sure to align them as perfectly as possible!)

Step 2: Mark the buckle end of your belt using the 2-in-1 Belt Guide Acrylic Template.

Step 3: From the center of the oblong hole in the middle measure the length you found from above (this measurement is the length of your belt) and lightly mark where your center hole will go.

Step 4: Once again using the acrylic template, line up the center belt hole on the template with your marked location. Now from either side mark the additional holes you would like to have on your belt.

Step 5: From the last belt hole furthest from where the buckle will go add 5" and mark the end.

Step 6: Cut out or use a Point End Punch for the ends of the belt you had previously marked.

Step 7: Punch out your belt holes with a #6 Round Drive Punch and the 1" Oblong Punch your marked earlier.

Step 8: Now, cut away any overlapping excess on the top or bottom of the belt in the event either strip did not come together perfectly.

Step 9: Using a wing divider lightly mark the distance away from the edge of the belt you would like for your stitching to be.

Step 10: Using a machine, stitching chisels, or lacing chisels follow your marked lines and stitch your two pieces together.

Step 11: Bevel your edges with a #3 Edge Beveler on both the inside and outside of your belt.

Step 12: Burnish the edges of your belt.

Step 13: Add a Buckle of your choice and Chicago Screws to finish off your belt!

Ostrich Belt Inlay

Step 1: Grab an 1.5" wide economy veg strip or a strap out a 1.5" wide 2-3oz piece of leather yourself. Cut out a 1.5" x 12" piece from the Ostrich Embossed Side at this time as well. 

Step 2: Mark the buckle end of your belt using the 2-in-1 Belt Guide Acrylic Template.

Step 3: From the center of the oblong hole in the middle measure the length you found from above (this measurement is the length of your belt) and lightly mark where your center hole will go.

Step 4: Once again using the acrylic template, line up the center belt hole on the template with your marked location. Now from either side mark the additional holes you would like to have on your belt.

Step 5: From the last belt hole furthest from where the buckle will go add 5" and mark the end.

Step 6: Taking your belt minus the part of the belt which will fold over for the buckle (about 3.5") fold your belt in half and mark the center.

Step 7: Mark 5" from either side of the center to get a total of 10" - this is where your inlay will go.

Step 8: Measure the distance from where the inlay will end to either end of your belt on a 6-7oz piece of leather. These measurements will be the lengths of your billets.

Step 9: Cut out or use a Point End Punch for the end of your billets.

Step 10 (OPTIONAL): Tool your billets with a design of your choice, then dye, antique and finish them.

Step 11: Lay everything down on your strap of leather to confirm where they'll be going on your finished belt. (Your inlay should be overlapped by your billets!)

Step 12: On the flesh side of the leather pieces apply contact cement to each leather piece going one by one.

Step 13: Trim any overlapping sides from your belt ensuring a smooth edge.

Step 14: Set a wing divider to 5MM length and lightly mark where your lacing chisels will go.

Step 15: Using your lacing chisels begin punching out your lacing holes.

Step 16: Buckstitch your belt.

Step 17: Using your belt acrylic template remark your holes to be punched.

Step 18: Using a #6 Round Drive Punch and 1" Oblong Punch begin to punch out all of the holes you've marked. 

Step 19: Bevel your edges with a #3 Edge Beveler on both the inside and outside of your belt.

Step 20: Burnish the edges of your belt.

Step 21: Add a Buckle of your choice and Chicago Screws to finish off your belt!

Rocking MB Leather

Hi! I’m Madison Beard Mowrer with Rocking MB Leather located in Winnsboro TX. At the age of 14 a vintage “Tandy Deluxe Leathercraft Kit” was passed down from my late grandpa, and I guess you can say the rest is history. Small items were first sold to friends while competing in youth/high school rodeos, and now 14 years later this hobby has blessed me with a full time job.

Now married to my high school sweetheart, I spend most of my days alongside my husband sharing a passion of the cowboy lifestyle and creating pieces that reflect it.

Being a self taught leather crafter, I strive to create beautifully unique, one of a kind custom orders with a western flare; specializing in belts, wallets, diaper bag revamps, shoe toppers, rope cans, plus a few more items in between!

Instagram: @rocking_mbleather